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The participants of a sit-in seeking registration of a case against the killing of a woman during police’s firing in Steel Town last week dispersed Sunday after hours-long protest at Karachi’s National Highway, following assurances of a judicial inquiry in talks with the law enforcers. Area locals and the victim’s family staged a protest at the National Highway — where a woman was shot dead in what police said was a “collateral damage” during a purported encounter with criminals — causing massive disruption of traffic on one of the major thoroughfare that connects the metropolis with rest of the country for almost 24 hours. A woman was reportedly killed in an exchange of fire between police and armed suspects on Gulshan-e-Hadeed Link Road in Steel Town on July 4. The bereaved family had been seeking the registration of a first information report (FIR) against the Steel Town Police Station’s station house officer (SHO) for leading the encounter that left the woman dead However, police claimed that the said SHO was not engaged in the cross-firing as he was present at the police station at the time of the encounter. They said that the police party was chasing the criminals when the woman was caught in the line of fire. The police said that they had registered a case against four cops who were part of the encounter but the family did not accept these terms. They claimed that they had the call detail record (CDR) and CCTV footage as evidence in SHO’s defence. Meanwhile, the victim’s brother stressed that SHO should be booked as the police party couldn’t engage in an encounter with criminals without the former’s consent. However, the family ended the protest following talks led by East Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ghulam Azfar Mahesar, saying that they “left the matter to Allah”. The victim’s brother complained that though a case had been registered but they didn’t get justice as the authorities were “not listening” to their demands. While speaking to the media after the negotiations, DIG Mahesar said the police party was chasing the notorious “white Corolla” gang when the victim’s car was caught in the line of fire. He clarified that the police hadn’t registered any case against the affected family as if they were the target of the encounter. “It was a case of collateral damage which we are investigating,” Mahesar said, adding that the police are willing to hold a judicial inquiry under whichever official or agency the family considers trustworthy. “If policemen are at fault then they will go behind bars,” he said. Mahesar further said that the police cannot commit “contempt of court” by lodging another FIR into the same case while referring to a Supreme Court verdict in the Sughra Bibi case. After the protest ended, the traffic authorities initiated efforts to restore the flow of vehicles on the National Highway.  Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1207304-victims-family-end

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/9/israels-war-on-gaza-live-two-gaza-city-hospitals-close-on-israeli-orders

Hezbollah said that it fired more than 200 missiles at Israeli military sites in retaliation for the killing of one of its senior commanders in southern Lebanon. Muhammed Neamah Naser, a commander in Hezbollah’s Aziz Unit, was “eliminated” on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, blaming him for directing terror attacks both before and after Hamas’ October 7 attacks from Gaza The IDF described him as a counterpart of Sami Taleb Abdullah, another Hezbollah commander whose killing last month also triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes. “Together, they served as two of the most significant Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon,” the IDF said. In response to the killing, Hezbollah on Thursday said it had launched “more than 200 missiles of various types” at Israeli targets. The Israeli military said that it intercepted some of those Hezbollah missiles, as well as drones. Some fires broke out as a result of falling shrapnel. In response to those strikes, the IDF said their fighter jets have struck Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight Wednesday into Thursday. The IDF said they struck a military structure and three “terrorist infrastructure sites.” Hezbollah said Thursday that one of its fighters had been killed. Naser is the latest Hezbollah commander to be killed in hostilities that flared along the Israel-Lebanon border since the October 7 attacks. Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze following an attack from Hezbollah in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Gil Eliyahu/AP Israeli fire services said Thursday that they are working on multiple “extensive fires” in the north of the country “as a result of the heavy shelling from Lebanon.” More than 10 fires broke out in the area of the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights, the Israel Fire and Rescue North District said in a statement, “with some of them creating very extensive fires in challenging terrain.” Over 40 firefighting teams and 10 aircraft were working in the region on five major incidents, the statement said. Cross-border fire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah has been an almost daily occurrence since the war in Gaza began. But it has been gradually intensifying, raising fears it could escalate into a full-blown conflict. Hezbollah is one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, boasting of tens of thousands of fighters and a vast missile arsenal. The group has said its current round of fighting with Israel is to support Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed more than 300 Hezbollah fighters and some 90 civilians, according to Reuters tallies. Meanwhile, Israel says fire from Lebanon has killed 18 soldiers and 10 civilians. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/04/middleeast/hezbollah-lebanon-rockets-israel-commander-intl/index.html

The federal government on Friday will decide on Punjab government’s request to gag social media platforms for six days during Muharram amid security concerns, Geo News reported Friday citing sources. According to the insiders, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi will present the issue before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today in a bid to prevent any untoward situation during the religious event. Faithful hold processions across the country in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings amid tight security, with thousands of law enforcers deployed to ensure the security during the month. The sources, meanwhile, said that the interior minister is not in favour of suspending social media platforms. “The meeting will decide whether or not the social media services will be banned.” The Punjab government has cited spread of hate material and misinformation as reasons behind the move.  According to a Punjab Home Department letter, a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Law and Order was convened to review security and administrative arrangements for Muharram. In this meeting, it was decided to suspend social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram from Muharram 6 to 11 to prevent the dissemination of hate material and misinformation, aiming to avert sectarian violence. The Home Department sent the request to the Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan, seeking immediate action to ensure peace and security during the sensitive period of Muharram. The federal government on Friday will decide on Punjab government’s request to gag social media platforms for six days during Muharram amid security concerns, Geo News reported Friday citing sources. According to the insiders, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi will present the issue before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today in a bid to prevent any untoward situation during the religious event. Faithful hold processions across the country in Muharram, while religious scholars address huge gatherings amid tight security, with thousands of law enforcers deployed to ensure the security during the month. The sources, meanwhile, said that the interior minister is not in favour of suspending social media platforms. “The meeting will decide whether or not the social media services will be banned.” The Punjab government has cited spread of hate material and misinformation as reasons behind the move.  According to a Punjab Home Department letter, a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Law and Order was convened to review security and administrative arrangements for Muharram. In this meeting, it was decided to suspend social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram from Muharram 6 to 11 to prevent the dissemination of hate material and misinformation, aiming to avert sectarian violence. The Home Department sent the request to the Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan, seeking immediate action to ensure peace and security during the sensitive period of Muharram. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1206588-muharram-2024-govt-to-decide-on-social-media-gag-in-punjab-today

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/5/israel-war-on-gaza-live-cautious-optimism-as-ceasefire-talks-revived

Russia’s southernmost Dagestan province has announced a temporary ban on the wearing of niqabs, a full-face veil with an opening for the eyes, as a security measure following deadly attacks by gunmen last month. Gunmen opened fire at multiple places of worship and a police traffic stop in two cities in the Muslim-majority republic on June 23, killing at least 15 police officers and at least four civilians, including an Orthodox priest, according to authorities. The niqab ban is to take place until “the identified threats are eliminated and a new theological conclusion is issued,” deputy head of the Mufti of Dagestan Abdulla Salimov said in a video message Wednesday. Assistant to the Mufti of Dagestan Muhammad Muhammadov told the Russian news agency EA Regnum on Wednesday that “the ban applies in public places where security and personal identification are necessary,” such as streets, public institutions, and other places where there are “large gatherings of people.” Gunmen kill police, priest and civilians in attacks on places of worship in Russia’s Dagestan “The Muftiyat’s recommendation is aimed at preventing potential threats and maintaining public order. The duration of the ban depends on the development of the situation in the region,” he said. The Coordination Center of Muslims of the North Caucasus issued a statement on Wednesday in which it called the wearing of the niqab, burqa and other outer garments that cover the face “harmful to Muslims, threatening discord in inter-religious and interethnic relations.” Alexander Bastrykin, the head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, called on lawmakers to “urgently” ban the wearing of niqabs in Russia on Saturday. Bastrykin blamed “Islamist terrorists” for the deadly shooting in Dagestan. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, but law enforcement agencies told Russian state media TASS that the attackers are “adherents of an international terrorist organization.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/03/europe/russia-dagestan-bans-niqabs-shooting-intl-latam/index.html

 A high-profile terrorist commander was killed during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media affairs wing said on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the security forces conducted the IBO on the reported presence of local commander Irfan Ullah Adnan, who was killed during an intense exchange of fire. The slain terrorist was actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against security forces as well as extortion and target killings of innocent civilians, according to the ISPR. He was a most-wanted terrorist by the law-enforcement agencies. Locals of the area appreciated the operation and expressed their full support to the security forces in eliminating the menace of terrorism in the country. Earlier this week, nine terrorists were killed by security forces in two separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Security forces killed seven terrorists including HVT, terrorist commander Najeeb Abdul Ur Rehman and terrorist commander Ishfaq Muavia in an intelligence-based operation in the Tira area of Khyber district a day earlier, according to an ISPR statement. “The killed terrorists were actively involved in numerous terrorist activities in the area and were wanted by law enforcement agencies. Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists,” the ISPR said. “In another operation, conducted in Lakki Marwat District, own troops effectively engaged terrorists’ location in which two more terrorists were killed. The security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country.” Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1206165-high-profile-terrorist-commander-killed-in-bajaur-ibo-ispr

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/7/4/israel-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-strike-kills-7-in-khan-younis

In a major crackdown on motorcycle theft, police in Gulbahar Colony, also known as Golimar, busted a gang of tech-savvy young criminals on Tuesday. The notorious gang specialised in stealing motorcycles, forging documents, and selling the bikes online, skillfully evading the notice of anti-vehicle lifting agencies. According to SSP Central Zeeshan Siddiqui, the modus operandi of the motorbike lifters was a sophisticated three-stage operation, which they had been successfully using to make illegal money. “The gang members would first acquire legitimate documents for motorcycles. These documents were the foundation of their illicit trade,” Siddiqui said, talking to the media. “Then, using these genuine papers, they would forge fake documents for the stolen motorcycles, ensuring that the bikes appeared legal and trustable.” With tampered engine and chassis numbers, these motorcycles were then listed and sold on various online platforms, deceiving unsuspecting buyers, the SSP revealed. Siddiqui said that the gang was highly active across various parts of Karachi. The culprits, identified as Bilawal, Shah Rukh, and Rizwan, have confessed to tampering with and selling dozens of stolen motorcycles. During the operation, police recovered eight stolen motorcycles and five chassis from the gang’s possession. The police said that each gang member had his own special expertise in this criminal operation. Rizwan, one of the gang members, admitted to faking the documents and later selling the stolen motorcycles online. Bilawal, another of the thieves, confessed to lifting the motorcycles, often targeting specific models on demand. Shah Rukh, an expert in tampering with engine and chassis numbers, used to charge Rs3,000 for each alteration, the police said. “With the gang now in custody, formal legal proceedings have been initiated against them,” SSP Central said, adding, “The successful operation marks a significant step in curbing motorcycle theft and fraud in Karachi. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1205692-tech-savvy-gang-booked-for-lifting-motorbikes-on-demand-selling-online-in-karachi

Hurricane Beryl is barrelling towards Jamaica after battering the southeastern Caribbean, killing at least six people across the region and flattening some 90 percent of homes on one island in the Grenadines archipelago. Beryl – the earliest storm on record to reach Category 5, the highest on the Saffir-Simpson Scale – was expected to start losing intensity on Tuesday evening. But forecasters said it would still be an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm when it passes near or over Jamaica on Wednesday and near the Cayman Islands on Thursday. Scientists cited human-caused climate change as the likely culprit for the storm’s rapid strengthening. On Tuesday night, the storm was located about 300 miles (480km) east-southeast of the Jamaican capital, Kingston, with top winds of 150mph (250kmph), and officials there warned residents to gather provisions and safeguard their homes. “I urge all Jamaicans to stock up on food, batteries, candles, and water. Secure your critical documents and remove any trees or items that could endanger your property,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said on X. “Everyone, including those living alone, should take these necessary steps now,” he wrote. “It’s better to be prepared than to regret not preparing.” The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States said Jamaica appears to be in the direct path of Beryl and that the storm would bring life-threatening winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges to the island nation. “We are most concerned about Jamaica, where we are expecting the core of a major hurricane to pass near or over the island,” said Michael Brennan, the director of the NHC, in an online briefing. “You want to be in a safe place where you can ride out the storm by nightfall [on Tuesday]. Be prepared to stay in that location through Wednesday.” ‘Grim situation’ Beryl has already left a trail of death and devastation in its wake. Three people were reported killed in Grenada and another in St Vincent and the Grenadines, officials said. Two other deaths were reported in northern Venezuela, where five people are missing, officials said. Some 25,000 people in that area also were affected by heavy rainfall from Beryl. In Grenada, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell said the island of Carriacou, which was struck by the eye of the storm, has been all but cut off, with houses, telecommunications and fuel facilities there flattened. Two of the three deaths recorded in Grenada happened on Carriacou, he said. “The situation is grim,” Mitchell told a news conference on Tuesday. “There is no power and there is almost complete destruction of homes and buildings on the island. The roads are not passable, and in many instances, they are cut off because of the large quantity of debris strewn all over the streets.” Mitchell added: “The possibility that there may be more fatalities remains a grim reality as movement is still highly restricted.” In St Vincent and the Grenadines, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said the hurricane left “immense destruction” in its wake, including the destruction of some 90 percent of homes on Union Island. He said “similar levels of devastation” were expected on the islands of Myreau and Canouan. The last strong hurricane to hit the southeast Caribbean was Hurricane Ivan 20 years ago, which killed dozens of people in Grenada. Mikey Hutchinson, a Grenadian journalist, told Al Jazeera he had seen destruction in many parts of the mainland, with roofs ripped off homes and agricultural land badly damaged. “I’ve seen nutmeg, I’ve seen cocoa, I’ve seen coconut – I’ve seen just about everything destroyed by this powerful catastrophic hurricane,” he said. “We are very concerned. We’ve experienced back in 2004 a hurricane similar to this one. It was more devastating. It took down about 90 to 95 percent of our houses and so it was really hard to build back. And so having experienced a hurricane of that magnitude and then yesterday again having to experience a Category 4 hurricane with threats of more to come, it raises our anxiety,” he added. One of the homes that Beryl damaged in Carriacou belongs to the parents of United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. In a statement, Stiell said the climate crisis is worsening faster than expected. “Whether in my homeland of Carriacou, hammered by Hurricane Beryl, or in the heatwaves and floods crippling communities in some of the world’s largest economies, it’s clear that the climate crisis is pushing disasters to record-breaking new levels of destruction,” he said. “Disasters on a scale that used to be the stuff of science fiction are becoming meteorological facts, and the climate crisis is the chief culprit,” he added. Beryl is the Atlantic season’s first hurricane, and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said it “sets an alarming precedent for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season”. Scientists said climate change likely contributed to Beryl’s early formation, while also driving how quickly it intensified. Global warming has helped push temperatures in the North Atlantic to record highs, said Christopher Rozoff, an atmospheric scientist at the US-based National Center for Atmospheric Research. The warmer waters lead to more evaporation, which fuels more intense hurricanes featuring higher wind speeds, he said. Beryl jumped from a Category 1 to a Category 4 storm in under 10 hours, according to Andra Garner, a Rowan University meteorologist. That marked the fastest intensification ever recorded before September, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, she added. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, meanwhile, predicted that the 2024 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, would be well above average, with between 17 and 25 named storms. The forecast called for as many as 13 hurricanes and four major hurricanes. An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven of them hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/3/hurricane-beryl-kills-six-causes-immense-destruction-in-caribbean